[Supplement  to  Assembly  Journal.] 

CALIFORNIA   LEGISLATURE    ASSEMBLY. 


TWENTY-FIFTH    SESSION.' 


IN  ASSEMBLY. 

ASSEMBLY  CHAMBER,  ) 

Tuesday,  February  13,  1883.  \ 

REPORT    OP    COMMITTKK    ON    AGRICULTURAL,    MINING,    AND    MKCHANICS'    ARTS    COLLEGK. 

MR.  SPEAKKR:  Your  Committee  on  Agricultural,  Mining,  and  Mechanics'  Arts  College,  have 
visited  the  Agricultural  College,  the  School  of  Mines,  and  Mechanics'  Arts  College,  at  Berkeley, 
and  have  the  honor  to  report  as  follows : 

The  following  table  shows  the  amount  of  appropriation  asked  for,  and  the  amount  recom- 
mended by  the  committee : 

Wages  of  regular  force $6,000 

Wages  for  additional  help  according  to  season  (for  two  years) 2,040 

Salary  of  Professor  on  Practical  Agriculture 3,000 

Course  on  Dairying .. 260 

Doctor  on  Viticulture 240 

For  clerical  work,  paid  for  by  the  hour 650 

Purchase  of  implements,  repairs,  shoeing  of  horses,  purchasing  of  seeds,  etc 2,000 


Total  for  Mechanics'  Arts  College $16,570 

For  machinery  and   tools,  practical  applications  of  the  theoretic  instructions  given  in 

the  College $10,000 

The  Department  of  Mines. 

Amount  Amount 


Asked 


For  model  of  stamp  mill  and  dressing  works |  $6,000 

For  other  apparatus  and  chemicals 2,000 


Eecommended 


Nil 
$2,000 


Your  committee  lias  exercised  great  care  in  arriving  at  tin-  foregoing  recommendations. 

The  College  of  Agriculture  must  be  regarded  from  two  points  of  view:    /-Yr.sV  -AN  an  educa- 
tional   institution    for   those    who  ;uv  to   make  the   pursuit  of    agriculture  their   life   l.m - 
Second — As  a  means  of  instructing  the  farmers  of  the  State  in  correct  methods  of  cultivation; 
in  the  employment  of  appropriate  fertilizers  in  a  proper  manner;  the  introduction  ,,f  new  and 
valuable  vegetable  productions;    the  means  of  exterminating  destructive  parasites  of   a 
vines,  and   trees,  as  the   result  of  experiments  carried  on  in  the  laboratory  and  grounds  of  the 
department. 

As  an  educational  institution,  your  committee  regret  to  say  that  the  advantages  it  oilers  h;iv. 
not  been  appreciated  by  the  farmers  of  the  State:  and  if  the  maintenance  of  the  institution 
•were  to  be  determined  upon  their  consideration  alone,  yourcommittee  would  not  feel  justified  in 


recommending:  any  appropriation  for  its  support.  But  a  work  is  being  done,  under  the  direction 
of  Professor  Hilgard  and  his  able  corps  of  assistants,  which  has  repaid  one  hundred  fold  every 
dollar  which  has  been  expended  upon  it,  and  will  repay  enormously  the  appropriation  now 
asked  for,  if  expended  in  the  manner  proposed. 

The  investigation  carried  on  by  the  Agricultural  College  into  waters  for  irrigation  have 
already  saved  a  useless  expenditure  in  various  parts  of  the  State,  greatlv  exceeding  the  entire 
cost  of  the  department.  There  has  also  been  diffused  throughout  'the  State  information 
respecting  the  prevention  and'  cure  of  the  various  diseases  of  plants,  including  cereals,  fruits, 
and  vines,  which  suggest  the  possibility  of,  at  some  future  date,  saving  to  the  State  Board  of 
Agriculture  and  the  Viticultural  and  Horticultural  Commission  by  consolidating  them  into  one 
department  at  the  University. 

Your  committee  examined  the  operation  of  the  Mining  School,  and  consider  that  school  also 
to  be  well  conducted;  but  in  view  of  the  financial  condition  of  the  people,  they  think  the 
providing  of  the  model  stamp  mill  and  dressing  works  should  be  dispensed  with  for  the  present, 
and  that  the  total  appropriation  asked  for  should  be  reduced  to  two  thousand  dollars. 

With  regard  to  the  Mechanics'  Arts  College,  your  Committee,  though  greatly  pleased  with 
that  establishment,  entertained  at  first  grave  doubts  as  to  the  amount  of  benefit  to  the  State 
obtained  from  it,  and  one  of  the  members  addressed  letters  to  the  various  graduates  of  the 
school,  whose  addresses  could  be  procured,  and  those  letters  are  attached  to  their  report. 

On  consideration  of  the  statements  there  made,  the  committee  feel  it  their  duty  to  recommend 
that  an  appropriation  of  eight  thousand  dollars,  instead  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  be  made  to 
that  institution. 

JOHN  H.  M.  TOWXSEND,  Chairman. 

MR.  SPEAKKR:  Fully  concurring  in  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Agriculture,  Mining,  and 
Mechanics'  Arts  College,  the  undersigned  respectfully  urges  on  the  consideration  of  the  House 
that  the  money  difficulty  which  affects  the  various  colleges  of  the  University  would  be  almost 
got  rid  of  by  the  imposition  of  tuition  fees,  to  be  paid  in  money  by  those  who  are  able  to  do  so, 
and  for  those  not  able  to  give,  their  promise  to  pay  when  able.  '  Experience  has  shown  that  not 
five  per  cent,  of  such  debts  are  lost.  Over  ninety-five  percent,  are  repaid,  generally  with  large 
additions  from  those  who  become  successful  in  life,  in  aid  of  the  same  class  of  struggling  students 
to  which  they  themselves  belonged.  By  making  a  part  of  the  remuneration  of  the  professors 
dependent  upon  such  tuition  fees,  and  giving  to  the  professors  an  active  control  over  the 
management  of  the  University,  by  appointing  them  to  be  its  Regents,  interest  and  duty  would 
no  longer  be  divorced,  but  income  would  depend  in  great  part  on  the  extent  and  utility 
of  the  work  performed.  Respectfully, 

MONTAGUE  R.  LEVERSON. 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  February  7,  1883. 
Dr.  Leverson,  Assembly  Chamber,  Sacramento,  CaL: 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  communication  in  reference  to  the  appropriation  for  the  Mechanic'  Arts 
College  duly  received,  and  I  am  pleased  to  reply: 

To  your  first  question,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  declare  that  my  instruction  under  Professor  Hesse 
has  proven  of  great  value  to  me,  and  knowing  the  aid  it  has  been  to  me  I  should  certainly  be 
willing  to  pay  for  it,  although  the  present  advantages  are  much  greater  than  I  enjoyed,  because 
I  was  the  very  first  student  in  the  Mechanics'  Arts  College,  and  the  curriculum  was  not  estab- 
lished, nor  methods  proven  and  established  as  now  —  still  the  benefit  was  great. 

In  reply  to  your  second  question,  I  think  the  State  has  and  is  receiving  a  return  for  the 
monev  spent  on  my  education,  and  in  this  way:  When  I  was  graduated  in  1877  I  had  nothing 
but  my  education  ;'  by  applying  it  properly  I  now  have  a  rapidly  increasing  business,  and  am 
paying  taxes  upon  twenty  thousand  dollars  of  property  accumulated  since  that  time,  directly  by 
applied  mechanics.  I  furnish  employment  for  ten  men,  most  of  whom  have  families  depend- 
ing upon  them,  and  have  invented  and  am  manufacturing  specialties  in  mining  machinery 
which  are  in  demand  on  this  coast  —  thus  assisting  and  encouraging  home  manufacture,  which 
is  a  benefit  to  any  community. 

The  nature  of  a  mechanical  business  is  such  that  if  I  allowed  the  element  of  bias  to  creep  in 
it  would  completely  ruin  one's  reputation  for  good  judgment,  which  is  a  foundation  stone  in 
this  profession;  consequently,  in  so  plain  a  matter  as  the  one  you  present  to  me,  I  do  not  think 
I  have  varied  from  the  fact. 

You  are  at  liberty  to  use  the  above  in  any  honorable  way.  Hoping  it  will  enable  you  to  solve 
your  problem,  and  'assuring  you  that  I  should  be  pleased  to  furnish  any  additional  information, 

I  am,  vours  respectfullv, 

EDWARD  A.  RIX. 

SAX  FRANCISCO,  February  8,  1883. 
Dr.  M.  R.  Leverson  : 


Your  letter  I   have  just  received,  and  I  shall   most  willingly  and  gladly 
endeavor  to  answer  your  questions. 

As  to  the  first  question,  which,  as  I  understand  it,  relates"  to  myself  personally,  I  reply,  "'most 


to  add   that  I  entered  the  College  of  Mechanics,  intending 

study  of  the  law  of  patents.     I  take  it,  that  it  needs  no  argu* 

of  the  incalculable  advantage,   and   even  necessity,  of  the 


^j^i 


that  noone  thing  h^^^^^^ 

this  as  you  see  fit.  3    V^rv          ^f  u  °      j  ,ca^e-     ^ou  nave  niy  permission  to  use 

'ery  respectfully  and  truly  yours, 

CHARLES  W.  SLACK. 
2>r.  Leverson:    •  EURKKA,  NEVADA,  February  10,  1883. 


trade  when  but  little  more  UuSuSS^ySSS.!?^  J,was,  aPPrentlced  to  the  mechanic's 
to  feel  that  it  was  next  to  impossible  for  an  v  von  no-  r  D^om!n.g  a  journeyman,  I  began 
make  any  headway  with  his  studies  in  the  evening"  V*  *i  !V  a  ay's  work  to 

KSrsss^ <>f  "iec"anira- i  «^5^^s^^*7afcaf  SYSI 

I  Answer •  '• ^Ye?"        ans.wer  JOOT questions  wiSiout 


taken  up  and  digested.  I  knew  nothing  of  the  subject  before  that  time.  To-day  I  am  in  Eu- 
reka as  the  Superintendent  Engineer  of  the  Risdon  Iron  Works— sent  by  them  to  put  in  opera- 
tion and  turn  over  to  the  proper  authorities  one  of  the  largest  hydraulic  hoisting  and  pumping 
arrangements  in  the  world.  To  be  sure,  much  practical  knowledge  has  been  obtained  outside  of 
the  University,  but  I  certainly  feel  indebted  to  my  alma  mater  for  the  inculcating  of  these  first 
principles  of  mechanics  thoroughly  into  my  mind.  I  am  perfectly  satisfied  with  my  course 
pursued  under  Prof.  Hesse,  and  know  that'l  have  been  greatly  bene'fited  by  it.  I  am'  certain 
that  from  some  other  graduates  you  will  be  told  that  the  course  has  been  of  little  use  to  thorn  ; 
and  why?  They  spend  four  years  at  the  University  at  a  mechanical  course,  and  then  apply  to 
a  foundry  for  a  position  as  either  draughtsman  or  engineer,  when  they  know  nothing  but  theo- 
retical mechanics — all  that  can  be  taught  them  without  the  proper  appliances  such  as  are  now 
asked  for  by  Hesse  and  his  assistant. 

Give  them  an  appropriation  that  such  tools  and  machines  may  be  purchased,  so  the  student 
may  understand  his  task  and  work  intelligently.  It  will  be  years  (perhaps  never)  before  we 
can  include  a  well-appointed  machine  shop  among  our  University  possessions;  but  let  us  make  a 
beginning.  It  is  absolutely  necessary  to  have  suitable  apparatus  in  connection  with  a  mechanical 
course:  and  if  thorough  practical  and  theoretical  mechanics  are  expected  from  the  State  of 
California  in  the  future,  give  the  University  the  means  of  producing  them  at  once;  and  not  let 
a  student  spend  four  years  with  theoretical  mechanics,  and  then  "become  discouraged  at  not 
being  able  to  find  employment,  and  give  up  the  profession  for  something  more  lucrative. 

Yours  respectfully. 

R.  S.  MOORE. 

In  a  few  days  I  expect  to  be  in  Sacramento,  and  will  call  on  you,  and  try  to  explain  a  little 
more  intelligently  my  ideas  than  I  have  above. 

R.  S.  M. 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  February  8th,  1883. 
Son.  M.  R.  Leverson  : 

DKAR  SIR:  Yours  of  the  5th  instant  was  received  to-day.  I  have  just  returned  from  Los 
Angeles,  or  should  have  answered  before.  First,  as  to  whether  the  instruction  received  at  the 
Mechanics'  Arts  College  has  fitted  me  for  my  profession — I  reply,  that  it  gave  me  a  start  in  the 
right  direction,  though  it  has  not  taught  me  experience — that  no  education  can  do.  The  year 
I  entered  the  college  was  the  first  of  its  organization,  and  the  course  had  not  been  fully 
decided  on,  so  I  am  hardly  able  to  answer  for  the  college  as  now  organized.  My  instruction 
there  in  the  theory  of  mechanics  has  been  of  great  benefit  to  me  (for  theory  is  the  basis  o: 
engineering  in  its  highest  sense)  in  a  general  way.  It  might  have  been  more  practical ;  but,  as 
I  have  said,  the  college  was  in  its  infancy,  and  had  nothing  in  the  way  of  illustration  but  tht 
blackboard  and  the  draughting  table. 

I  am  fully  satisfied  as -to  the  money  expended  on  my  education,  and  should  go  to  the  Uni- 
versity and  enter  the  College  of  Mechanics'  Arts  if  I  had  it  to  do  over  again.  SL 

As  'to  whether  the  people  of  the  State  have  or  are  likely  to  derive  any  benefit,  etc.,  v  do 
not  wish  to  be  credited  with  egotism  (that  might  be  inferred),  but  simply  state  that  I  am  a 
draughtsman  and  inechanical  engineer  in  the  employ  of  the  Central  Pacific  Railroad  :  am 
respected  by  my  equals,  and  have  the  confidence  of  my  superiors  in  mechanical  construction 
and  design.  I  am  twenty  seven  years  of  age,  young  in  my  profession,  and  what  the  future  may 
bring  forth,  who  can  tell?  But  as  for  the  past,  my  record  can  surely  cause  the  people  of  the 
State  no  regret. 

Hoping  that  the  college  may  receive  funds  necessary  to  widen  its  capacity  for  the  instruction 
of  those  who  intend  following  the  profession  it  outlines, 

I  am,  respectfully  yours, 

HOWARD  STILLMAN. 


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